Edward Behr

Short answer: yes, you should order a home inspection. Skipping it is almost never worth the riskaEUR"especially here in Colorado Springs. I work in this market every day with the Behr & Behr Team, and I can tell you that homes in Colorado Springs often come with things you won't catch during a walkthrough. Our climate, soil conditions, snow load, hail, and big temperature swings are tough on roofs, foundations, HVAC systems, and drainage. Even houses that look great on the surface can hide expensive issues. A home inspection isn't about killing the deal or nitpicking cosmetic stuff. It's about understanding what you're buying before you own it. Roof life, sewer lines, electrical panels, furnaces, grading, moisture issuesaEUR"those are things buyers routinely miss without a professional inspection. Yes, you can skip it. People do. When it works out, it's usually because the buyer has construction experience, the home is brand new with strong warranties, or they're financially prepared to handle surprise repairs. Most buyers aren't in that position, and in Colorado Springs those surprises can get expensive fast. It's also a misconception that an inspection means you're asking the seller to fix everything. Most of the time it's simply about awareness, planning future maintenance, or negotiating a reasonable credit if something major comes up. I've seen buyers skip inspections to be more competitive and later discover issues that cost $10,000, $20,000, or more after closing. That's not uncommon here, especially with older homes or properties with deferred maintenance. If you're buying in Colorado Springs, a home inspection is one of the smartest parts of the process. It's a small upfront cost that protects you from much bigger problems down the road.

If your goal is to get the most money when selling your house in Colorado Springs, it really comes down to strategy, not luck. I see a lot of sellers assume the highest price comes from just listing high and waiting. In reality, that usually backfires. Homes that miss the market early often end up chasing price reductions and selling for less than they would have with the right plan from day one. The biggest factor is pricing correctly from the start. In this market, buyers are paying attention to value, condition, and recent comparable sales. Overpricing almost always leads to longer days on market, fewer showings, and weaker offers. Well-priced homes, on the other hand, still create urgency and competition, which is where strong pricing comes from. Preparation matters more than most sellers realize. You don't need to remodel everything, but addressing obvious issues, cleaning thoroughly, and presenting the home well can directly impact your final number. Buyers in Colorado Springs are quick to discount homes that feel neglected, even if the bones are good. Marketing is another piece people underestimate. Professional photos, video, and clear messaging make a real difference. Your home isn't just competing with what sold last yearaEUR"it's competing with every active listing a buyer is touring right now. If your home doesn't stand out online, it won't get the showing traffic needed to drive strong offers. Timing and negotiation also play a big role. Knowing when to push, when to hold firm, and when to adjust based on real buyer feedback is where experience matters. The highest offer isn't always the best offer, and the cleanest path to the most money often comes from terms, timing, and buyer strengthaEUR"not just price. Working with a local team that understands neighborhood-by-neighborhood pricing is key. What works in one part of Colorado Springs doesn't always work in another, and national advice doesn't always apply here. At the Behr & Behr Team, we focus on pricing strategy, preparation, and targeted marketing to position homes to sell for the strongest possible outcome. If you want a realistic, data-backed plan for your specific home and neighborhood, that's where starting makes the biggest difference.

Yes, it's possible to buy a HUD home with little to no money out of pocket, but it helps to understand how the process actually worksaEUR"especially if you're buying outside your local area. HUD homes themselves do not offer zero-down financing. HUD is simply the seller. Any " zero downaEUR? option comes from the loan program or assistance, not from HUD directly. The most common path is FHA financing. FHA loans typically require a 3.5% down payment, but that down payment can often be covered by a gift from a family member or an approved down payment assistance program. When assistance covers the down payment and sometimes closing costs, buyers often refer to this as buying with zero down. There are also state and local down payment assistance programs in many areas that can help with FHA purchases, including HUD homes. These programs are usually income-based and require the home to be your primary residence. Availability and requirements vary by location, so buyers need to confirm eligibility before submitting an offer. Another thing to keep in mind is that HUD homes are sold as-is. FHA loans are allowed, but the property still has to meet FHA minimum standards. If repairs are needed, some buyers use an FHA 203(k) loan, which allows certain repair costs to be rolled into the mortgage. This option works, but it requires more paperwork and flexibility. HUD also gives priority to owner-occupants before investors, which helps buyers who plan to live in the home. However, competition can still exist depending on the price point and condition of the property. Bottom line: you usually can't buy a HUD home with literally zero money involved, but many buyers are able to purchase HUD homes with no money of their own by combining FHA financing with down payment assistance or gift funds. The key is getting pre-approved with a lender who understands HUD properties and confirming available assistance programs before you bid.

The NACA home buying program is a nonprofit mortgage program that helps buyers purchase a home with very low upfront costs. NACA stands for the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, and it's often searched by buyers looking for zero-down home buying options. What makes NACA different is that it offers no down payment, no closing costs, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and below-market interest rates. Because of that, it's especially popular with first-time home buyers and buyers trying to enter higher-cost markets without large savings. That said, NACA is not a quick or simple processaEUR"especially for buyers looking to purchase in Colorado Springs. The program requires mandatory counseling, extensive financial documentation, and proof that you can handle the future mortgage payment. Most buyers have to show consistent rent or savings history at the payment level they're trying to qualify for. The process often takes several months. NACA loans are also owner-occupant only, meaning you must live in the home. There are restrictions on renting it out later, which is important for buyers who might be considering future investment or flexibility. In competitive markets like Colorado Springs, timing matters. NACA can be a great option if you're patient and financially stable, but it's not ideal if you need to move quickly or compete in multiple-offer situations. Sellers often prefer conventional or FHA buyers simply because they close faster. Bottom line: the NACA program can be an excellent tool for the right buyer, but it works best when expectations are set correctly and the timeline is realistic. Understanding how NACA fits into the local Colorado Springs market is key.

If you work remotely and want to lower your housing and overall living costs, there are actually quite a few mid-sized U.S. cities that balance affordability, quality of life, and solid infrastructure. The key is looking just outside the biggest metros or in regions that have steady growth but haven't been fully priced out yet. A lot of remote workers start by looking at places like Colorado Springs. It's a mid-sized city with lower costs than Denver, strong internet infrastructure, and access to outdoor lifestyle without big-city pricing. Housing costs are still reasonable compared to major coastal markets, and utilities and taxes tend to be more manageable than in larger metros. In the Midwest, cities like Kansas City and Omaha are popular for remote workers who want stable job markets, good healthcare, and significantly lower housing costs. These areas offer walkable neighborhoods, growing food scenes, and home prices that are often far below national averages. If warmer weather is a priority, places like Tucson and Albuquerque tend to come up often. They're mid-sized, have strong cultural identities, and generally offer lower home prices and day-to-day expenses compared to larger Sun Belt cities. The tradeoff is heat and, in some cases, older housing stock. In the Southeast, cities such as Chattanooga and Huntsville have gained attention for affordability, strong internet connectivity, and growing populations. These areas often appeal to remote workers who want lower taxes and a slower pace without being truly rural. The biggest thing to watch isn't just home pricesaEUR"it's total cost of living. Property taxes, insurance, utilities, healthcare access, and even commuting costs (if you still travel occasionally) can swing affordability more than purchase price alone. Climate, infrastructure, and long-term growth also matter if you plan to stay put for a while. If you're flexible, the sweet spot tends to be mid-sized cities with growing populations but without major coastal pricing pressure. That's where you'll usually find the best balance between affordability, lifestyle, and stability.